Module 2: Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Book Cover Image:

 

 

Book Summary:

In Harold and the Purple Crayon, Harold, an imaginative child, brings to life the images in his mind with the help of his trusty purple crayon.  A peaceful walk on a moonlit path morphs into an action-filled journey which includes an apple tree forest guarded by a dragon, a sailboat ride across the ocean, a climb to the top of a  high mountain, and a balloon assisted descent.  In each new scene, Harold demonstrates how a little resourcefulness paired with a purple crayon are all that is needed to master any challenge.

APA Reference of Book:

Johnson, C. (1955). Harold and the purple crayon. HarperCollins Publishers.

 

Impressions:

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a simple, yet beautifully illustrated tale about the power of a child's imagination.  For any adult who has ever gushed over a child's artwork with its seemingly inexplicable leaps and jumps between images, this story provides a straightforward explanation of the many creative paths that their minds can take.  Additionally, the pop of purple against the stark white background draws the eye and reader into Harold's story.

Professional Review:

Book Links

"Using a single crayon, young Harold ignores the limitation of his real world and inhabits own of his own making in this simple and empowering tale." —Carol Munson-Benson

Munson-Benson, C. (2006, July). [Review of the book Harold and the purple crayon, by C. Johnson]. Book Links, 15(6), 
       68. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/booklinks 

Library Uses:

Elementary School Library
The book, Harold and the Purple Crayon, can be read by the librarian as a lead-in to a review of color names for students in grades Pre-K and Kinder.  The librarian and students can then play a modified version of the classic I Spy game.  The librarian can state — "I spy, with my little eye something that is ... insert color."  Students can then take turns naming objects in the library that contain that particular color.  A possible art project would involve students creating their own purple crayon adventures.  A long length of white butcher paper can be unrolled along the ground, and each student assigned a section.  Then each student would receive a purple crayon with which to decorate their section.  When complete, the butcher paper can be displayed along the outside wall of the library or classroom.